Government R&D funding in the state budget

Government R&D funding amounts to nearly EUR 1.7 billion in 2006

Government budget appropriations or outlays on research and development (GBAORD) for 2006 amount to EUR 1,680 million. Increase from the previous year is EUR 83 million. In nominal terms research expenditure is set to rise by 5.2 per cent and in real terms by 2.7 per cent. Government R&D expenditure as a proportion of overall government spending exclusive of debt servicing stands at 4.5 per cent, which is the same as in the year before. The share of public R&D funding of GDP exceeds 1.05 per cent.

Funding goes up most, by EUR 44 million, in the administrative branch under the Ministry of Education. Funding under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the other administrative branch that is major receiver of R&D funding, also increases by almost equally much, or by EUR 41 million. R&D funding in the administrative branch under the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health also grows by EUR 7 million.

Funding of the National Technology Agency (Tekes) as the largest funding organisation is EUR 478 million, and its share remains unchanged at 28 per cent. By contrast, the share of the other organisation awarding funding on competitive basis, Academy of Finland, goes up by good percentage point to over 15 per cent. R&D funding of the Academy increases by EUR 34 million and it amounts to EUR 257 million in total. Other R&D funding, i.e. research carried out in ministries, decreases by EUR 12 million.

Examining R&D funding by its socio-economic objective, the largest category is general advancement of knowledge with its 42 per cent share. In 2006, it also receives the largest increase of EUR 40 million. Funding of industrial production and technology also goes up by EUR 31 million from the year before.

Inquiries: Mr Tero Luhtala +358 9 1734 3327, tiede.teknologia@stat.fi

Read more Government R&D funding in the state budget 2006